Psalm 84:10 says, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

When I first read that verse, I understood it to mean that I would rather do something small for God, like hold a door, than accomplish something great in a place that has nothing to do with Him.

Then, years ago, something happened that gave me a completely different understanding of what it means to be a doorkeeper.

A Doorholder

My wife and I began attending Passion City Church in Atlanta when the church was still young and meeting at different locations around the city. Before long, I signed up to serve on one of the volunteer teams.

A few weeks later, I received an email asking if I would serve on the host team.

Our job was simple. We stood at the doors and welcomed people as they arrived. Since we were meeting in a different location each week, people often needed to know if they were in the right place. We answered questions, pointed people toward the bathrooms, helped them find the gathering, and did whatever we could to make them feel welcome.

After serving for a few weeks, our team leader challenged us to study what the Bible says about doorkeepers.

That changed everything.

As we searched Scripture, we discovered that doorkeepers were also called gatekeepers and doorholders. In the Old Testament, this was an important and honored responsibility. First Chronicles 9 even lists those who were chosen to serve in this role.

We began to see our job differently.

We weren’t simply standing at a door. We were helping create an opportunity for people to walk through it.

Every week, we had the privilege of welcoming people into a place where they could encounter God. We couldn’t change anyone’s heart. We couldn’t make someone follow Jesus. We could simply hold the door open and help make the way a little easier.

And what a privilege that is.

Who Held the Door for You?

The doorkeepers in the Old Testament served at the entrance of the temple, where God’s presence dwelled. Today, God’s presence isn’t confined to a building. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer.

That means we can be doorholders wherever we go.

At work. In our neighborhoods. At school. In our families. At the grocery store. In conversations with friends and strangers.

God places people in our path who may be looking for a way to experience His love, and sometimes our role is simply to hold the door open.

A kind word can hold a door open.

An invitation can hold a door open.

Listening to someone can hold a door open.

Sharing what Jesus has done in your life can hold a door open.

Think about your own story. Who held the door open for you? Who welcomed you, encouraged you, prayed for you, or pointed you toward Jesus?

Now ask yourself a different question:

Whose door is God asking you to hold open today?

You may never know what happens on the other side of it. You simply need to be willing to hold it open.

Additional Resources

The Blueprint for Life eight week study is designed to help you discover the life you were born to live.  The study contains a workbook and ten messages featuring Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Tony Evans, John Maxwell and others. Now available for digital download.  Click here to check it out!